Palace won't stop calls for PNoy term extension

By Jorge Carino, ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Malacanang will not stop allies in the Liberal Party from issuing statements that they want President Benigno Aquino III to stay longer as Chief Executive.

Section 4 of Article VII of the 1987 Constitution states: "The President shall not be eligible for any re-election."

However, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice of the Liberal Party said he is hoping that the President will consider another term.

Asked for comment, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said: "I think [that he was] doing this based on his personal view that the President has done so well for the country."

"In fact, I remember he was mentioning that kasal ang Pangulo sa bayan. So he feels that he is the best man to lead (the country) for another term."

The spokesman said the Palace has no position on the statement.

Malacanang does not even consider such a statement a distraction to the administration's focus on providing service to the people.

"As you can see, these are matters that Egay Erice in his personal capacity has offered to-has advocated," said Lacierda.

The Palace said the administration is not focused on the issue of a term extension for President Aquino. "We would like to thank the expression of support from the people but we are not distracted from governance," Lacierda said.